Popovich vs. the Refs

November 19, 2012 11:28 PM

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich yells to his players during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich yells to his players during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, ... more

Photo: JOHN ALBRIGHT, San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich yells to his players... Photo-3767107.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich argue with referee Joe Crawford (left) during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. less

San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich argue with referee Joe Crawford (left) during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San ... more

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich argues a call during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich argues a call during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.
John ... more

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to his players during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in San Antonio. The Lakers won 98-84. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to his players during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in San Antonio. The Lakers won 98-84. ... more

FOR SPORTS - San Antonio Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich yells instructions to the team against the Memphis Grizzlies during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) less

FOR SPORTS - San Antonio Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich yells instructions to the team against the Memphis Grizzlies during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 107-97. ... more

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, demonstrates to official that the ball had been kicked during play in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Spurs won 127-102.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, demonstrates to official that the ball had been kicked during play in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., ... more

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich debates a call with a game official during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the AT&T Center on Friday, Apr. 20, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich debates a call with a game official during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the AT&T Center on Friday, Apr. 20, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich debates a call with a game official... Photo-3767116.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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FOR SPORTS - San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls for a timeout during second half action of Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Utah Jazz Sunday April 29, 2012 at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-91. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) less

FOR SPORTS - San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls for a timeout during second half action of Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Utah Jazz Sunday April 29, 2012 at the AT&T ... more

SPURS -- San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich gets a technical foul during the second half of game one of the Western Conference first round at the AT&T Center, Sunday, April 29, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 106-91, to lead the series 1-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News less

SPURS -- San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich gets a technical foul during the second half of game one of the Western Conference first round at the AT&T Center, Sunday, April 29, 2012. The Spurs beat the ... more

Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich reacts after a play during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) less

Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich reacts after a play during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, ... more

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich reacts after a play during... Photo-3767119.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a call during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers in game one of the Western Conference semifinals at AT&T Center, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a call during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers in game one of the Western Conference semifinals at AT&T Center, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Jerry ... more

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures in the first half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals at the AT&T Center on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures in the first half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals at the AT&T Center on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Photo: Kin Man Hui, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures in the first half... Photo-3767122.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls for for a foul agaisnt Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan (06), late in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls for for a foul agaisnt Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan (06), late in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls for for a foul... Photo-3767123.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, right, talks with referee Nick Buchert during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, right, talks with referee Nick Buchert during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP ... more

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich calls to his players during the third quarter of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich calls to his players during the third quarter of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, May ... more

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich argues with referee Bill Spooner (22) during the second half of Game 3 in their NBA basketball Western Conference finals playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thursday, May 31, 2012, in Oklahoma City. The Thunder won 102-82. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich argues with referee Bill Spooner (22) during the second half of Game 3 in their NBA basketball Western Conference finals playoff series against the Oklahoma City ... more

SPURS -- San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich follows official James Williams before he is ejected during the second half against the New York Knicks at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The Spurs won 118-105. In back is Assistant Coach Don Newman. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News less

SPURS -- San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich follows official James Williams before he is ejected during the second half against the New York Knicks at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The ... more

The Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich has a confrontational discussion with Blane Reichelt, an NBA referee in the fourth quarter of game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 17, 2005. (Kin Man Hui/staff) less

The Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich has a confrontational discussion with Blane Reichelt, an NBA referee in the fourth quarter of game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals at the SBC Center in San Antonio on ... more

Photo: KIN MAN HUI, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

The Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich has a confrontational... Photo-3453851.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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Gregg Popovich screams at the referees about the lack of foul calls for the Spurs during first quarter action game four NBA Finals on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at the Palace at Auburn Hills. Popovich received a technical foul. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/STAFF (Bahram Mark Sobhani / Express-News file photo) less

Gregg Popovich screams at the referees about the lack of foul calls for the Spurs during first quarter action game four NBA Finals on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at the Palace at Auburn Hills. Popovich received a ... more

Photo: BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS

Gregg Popovich screams at the referees about the lack of foul calls... Photo-3453852.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a technical foul called against him as assistant coach Don Newman holds him back during first quarter action game four of the NBA Finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills near Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday, June 14, 2005. (Kin Man Hui/staff) less

Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a technical foul called against him as assistant coach Don Newman holds him back during first quarter action game four of the NBA Finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills near ... more

SPORTS --- The Spurs' Gregg Popovich, left, and Tim Duncan talk Tuesday night May 9, 2006 at the AT&T Center to the officials about a call during the second game of their Western Conference Semi-Finals match-up against the Dallas Mavericks. (BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/STAFF) (Bahram Mark Sobhani / Express-News file photo) less

SPORTS --- The Spurs' Gregg Popovich, left, and Tim Duncan talk Tuesday night May 9, 2006 at the AT&T Center to the officials about a call during the second game of their Western Conference Semi-Finals ... more

SPORTS --- Coach Gregg Popovich and Michael Finley argue with ref Eddie Rush in the fourth quarter Tuesday night May 9, 2006 at the AT&T Center during the second game of their Western Conference Semi-Finals match-up. The Spurs lost 91-113. (BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/STAFF) (Bahram Mark Sobhani / Express-News file photo) less

SPORTS --- Coach Gregg Popovich and Michael Finley argue with ref Eddie Rush in the fourth quarter Tuesday night May 9, 2006 at the AT&T Center during the second game of their Western Conference Semi-Finals ... more

The San Antonio Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich confers with game official #16, Ted Bernhardt, who fans accused of missing calls against the Nets throughout the second half Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF) (Karen L. Shaw / Express-News file photo) less

The San Antonio Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich confers with game official #16, Ted Bernhardt, who fans accused of missing calls against the Nets throughout the second half Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002 at the ... more

SPORTS - Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has words with an official during second-quarter action against the Memphis Grizzlies in the San Antonio Alamodome on Tuesday, March 12, 2002. BILLY CALZADA / STAFF (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News) less

SPORTS - Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has words with an official during second-quarter action against the Memphis Grizzlies in the San Antonio Alamodome on Tuesday, March 12, 2002. BILLY CALZADA / STAFF (Billy ... more

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich expresses his displeasure with the officiating in the game against the Knicks Saturday night at the AT&T Center. SAN ANTONIO SPURS VERSUS NEW YORK KNICKS AT THE AT&T CENTER TOM REEL/STAFF NOVEMBER 11, 2006. less

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich expresses his displeasure with the officiating in the game against the Knicks Saturday night at the AT&T Center. SAN ANTONIO SPURS VERSUS NEW YORK KNICKS AT THE AT&T CENTER ... more

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, left, is held back by assistant coach Don Newman after Popovich was ejected during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 82-78. less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, left, is held back by assistant coach Don Newman after Popovich was ejected during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, in Cleveland. ... more

Photo: Tony Dejak, AP

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, left, is held back by... Photo-3453863.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich discusses a call with referee Jack Nies during the second half of game one of the first round against the Denver Nuggets at the at&t Center on Sunday, April 22, 2007. ( JERRY LARA STAFF ) less

San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich discusses a call with referee Jack Nies during the second half of game one of the first round against the Denver Nuggets at the at&t Center on Sunday, April 22, 2007. ... more

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, left, argues a call with official Tim Donaghy during the fourth quarte of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006. San Antonio defeated Indiana 92-88. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) less

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, left, argues a call with official Tim Donaghy during the fourth quarte of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006. San ... more

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich gets tossed from the game against the Raptors in the fourth quarter Friday at the AT&T Center. Referee Bob Delaney had heard enough complaining after a close call on Tim Duncan. San Antonio Spurs versus the Toronto Raptors at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, December 28, 2007. Tom Reel/Staff December 28, 2007. less

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich gets tossed from the game against the Raptors in the fourth quarter Friday at the AT&T Center. Referee Bob Delaney had heard enough complaining after a close call on Tim ... more

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich gestures wildly as he gets tossed out of the game against Toronto by referee Bob Delaney. San Antonio Spurs versus the Toronto Raptors at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, December 28, 2007. Tom Reel/Staff December 28, 2007. less

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich gestures wildly as he gets tossed out of the game against Toronto by referee Bob Delaney. San Antonio Spurs versus the Toronto Raptors at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, ... more

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich comes back on the court to say a final complaint against referee Bob Delaney in the fourth quarter against Toronto Friday. San Antonio Spurs versus the Toronto Raptors at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, December 28, 2007. Tom Reel/Staff December 28, 2007. less

SPORTS Spurs coach Greg Popovich comes back on the court to say a final complaint against referee Bob Delaney in the fourth quarter against Toronto Friday. San Antonio Spurs versus the Toronto Raptors at the ... more

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, is held back by assistant coach Don Newman, left, while arguing with officials during the second quarter of their NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in San Antonio, Thursday, March 6, 2008. Popovich was ejected from the game. less

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, is held back by assistant coach Don Newman, left, while arguing with officials during the second quarter of their NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, is held back by... Photo-3453794.48981 - San Antonio Express-News

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FOR SPORTS - Spurs' headcoach Gregg Popovich walks along the bench during first half action of Game 4 in the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Mavericks Saturday April 25, 2009 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tx. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) less

FOR SPORTS - Spurs' headcoach Gregg Popovich walks along the bench during first half action of Game 4 in the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Mavericks Saturday April 25, 2009 at the ... more